Bryan Joseph Welz died on June 9, 2016, on Martha’s Vineyard at the age of 68, after a battle with cancer.
Bryan was born on July 26, 1947, in Boston. He attended Catholic Memorial High School, Northfield Mount Hermon School, and graduated with a degree in government from Harvard University in 1970.
Prior to Martha’s Vineyard, Bryan and his wife, Eloise “Weezie” Welz of Edgartown, lived in Cohasset for over 30 years.
Bryan was in the wine business for most of his professional life, most recently as an independent broker. He had a vast knowledge of and passion for not just wine, but for the culture, food, and people of the world. A thoughtful man with a lifelong intellectual curiosity, Bryan was also a legendary raconteur. His stories would often unfurl over the course of an entire evening, and would make innovative use of profanity. Bryan loved Boston sports, the Stones, the Dead, and the Beatles, fishing on Martha’s Vineyard, finding a traffic-free shortcut and reminiscing about the “good old days.” He had no tolerance for bureaucracy, bad drivers, or pretense. He sported a trademark moustache, and was a maker of truly extraordinary sandwiches. Those who knew Bryan Welz knew him to be a most lovable curmudgeon.
Bryan is survived by his wife Eloise “Weezie” Welz of Edgartown; his daughter Alison Welz of Austin, Texas; his son Nicholas Welz, daughter-in-law Sarah Dinwoodey Welz, and grandchildren Adelaide and Lincoln Welz of Cohasset (to the latter known simply as “Bubba”). He is preceded in death by his parents Henry Joseph Welz and Mary Welz, as well as his brother Robert Welz.
A private ceremony is planned, and a celebratory gathering in Bryan’s honor will be held with family and friends in the Boston area at a later date. The family would like to most sincerely thank the staff of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital as well as Martha’s Vineyard Hospice for their tremendous support and care. Donations are welcomed on behalf of the Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group at mvcancersupport.org.